System and apparatus for quick quenching continuously heated strip

ABSTRACT

System and apparatus for quick quenching a continuously moving solution heat treated aluminum or aluminum alloy strip and the like in a substantially instantaneous fashion promptly after the strip exits from a solution heat treatment furnace, wherein a relatively thin curtain of liquid coolant of substantially uniform cross-sectional thickness from one curtain edge to the other is applied to at least one side of and in a straight line across and transverse of the strip and wherein an improved arrangement is employed for enclosing the strip in a heated gaseous envelope substantially immediately after it exits from the furnace to preclude contact of the strip with the atmosphere prior to quenching and to prevent back splash of the coolant from the line of coolant application and a deleterious premature quenching of the strip and wherein the application of the coolant is fully coordinated with enclosing the strip in the heated gaseous envelope.

United States Patent [72] lnventor Richard D. Chance Spokane, Wash. [211 Appl. No. 719,428 [22] Filed Apr. 8, 1968 [45] Patented Jan. 2,1971 [73] Assignee Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation Oakland, Calif. a corporation of Delaware [54] SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR QUICK QUENCHING CONTINUOUSLY HEATED STRIP 26 Claims, No Drawings [52] US. Cl 266/3,

148/13, 263/3, 266/4, 266/6 [51] Int.Cl C21d 9/56 [50] Field of Search 266/3, 4, 4S, 6, 6S, 8;263/3; 148/13, 125,153,159

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,194,545 7/1965 Smith 266/3 3,208,742 9/1965 Peretick 266/4 3,300,198 l/1967 Clumpneretal. 3,428,023 2/1969 Coxetal ABSTRACT: System and apparatus for quick quenching a continuously moving solution heat treated aluminum or aluminum alloy strip and the like in a substantially instantaneous fashion promptly after the strip exits from a solution heat treatment furnace, wherein a relatively thin curtain of liquid coolant of substantially uniform cross-sectional thickness from one curtain edge to the other is applied to at least one side of and in a straight line across and transverse of the strip and wherein an improved arrangement is employed for enclosing the strip in a heated gaseous envelope substantially immediately after it exits from the furnace to preclude contact of the strip with the atmosphere prior to quenching and to prevent back splash of the coolant from the line of coolant application and a deleterious premature quenching of the strip and wherein the application of the coolant is fully coordinated with enclosing the strip in the heated gaseous envelope.

PATENTEU JAN 1 21971 sum 1 {1F 4 INVENTOR.

P/CHAQDD CHANCE PAIENTEB M12197! 3554,5513

sum 3 UP 4 BY mgm #7 TOP/IE Y SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR QUICK QUENCHING CONTINUOUSLY HEATED STRIP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the continuous quick or fast quenching of continuously moving solution heat treated aluminum and aluminum alloy strip materials and the like. Various systems have been proposed in the past for continuously quenching continuously moving aluminum alloy and aluminum alloy strip materials such as that disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,262,822, issued July 26, 1966, to Robert M. Griffith, over which patent the instant invention constitutes an improvement. This aforesaid system for quick quenching of strip materials and other analogous systems such as that shown in US. Pat. No. 3,208,742, issued Sept. 28, 1965, to Edward C. Peretick have not been completely satisfactory, however, for quick or fast quenching a wide variety of aluminum and aluminum alloy strip materials of the thicknesses now required in many industrial applications.

As indicated in US. Pat. No. 3,262,822, the particular thermal treatment known as solution heat treatment in the case of aluminum and aluminum alloys involves heating a heat treatable aluminum alloy to an elevated temperature below the melting point and holding the alloy at this temperature for a time sufficient to allow the constituents of'the alloy to go into solid solution. The temperature range to which particular aluminum alloys should be heated to accomplish satisfactory solid solution of the alloying constituents is referred to as the solution heat treating temperature and varies with each heat treatable alloy. After heating the alloy to the solution heat treating temperature and holding to accomplish solid solution, it is then necessary to accomplish a substantially instantaneous reduction in temperature of the heat treated alloy by quenching to maintain the alloying constituents in solid solution at room temperature.

This reduction in temperature of the heat treated alloy must be accomplished substantially instantaneously and within a critical time period. This is particularly important in the case of some alloys in order to develop certain properties such as stress corrosion resistance, and the reduction in temperature should be at rates up to about 1000 F. per second or more. For a further discussion of the problems encountered in effecting such a quench, further reference can be made to the above Griffith Patent. 7

As indicated previously, one of the draw backs to prior art fast or quick quenching systems'and equipment concerned their limited capability and flexibility in adapting themselves to effect the fast quenching of aluminum and aluminum alloys having extremely wide ranges of thicknesses. Whereas, previous commercial requirements for aluminum and aluminum alloy strip dictated the heat treating of aluminum and aluminum alloy strips on the order, for example, of 0.010 inches- -0.064 inches in thickness, many industrial uses of such strip today demand heat treated aluminum and aluminum alloys on the order of 0.100 inches in thickness and higher and which have to be manufactured for competitive reasons as cheaply and as efficiently as possible. The instant invention is particularly concerned, therefore, in providing a system and apparatus for effecting a fast or quick quenching of solution heated aluminum and aluminum alloy strip regardless of the gauge of the strip and including strip on the order of from 0.008 inches up to 0.100 inches thickness in an improved, efficient and controlled fashion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary purpose of the instant invention to provide an improved system and apparatus for quick quenching continuously moving metallic strip that has been solution heated and in particular aluminum strips made of widely varying alloys and thicknesses. For example, the system and apparatus disclosed herein can be used to quick quench any high strength heat treatable aluminum alloy, for example, those designated by the Aluminum Association as 2024, 2014,

7075, 7178 and 6061 and wherein the gauges of said alloys can vary over a wide range and run, for example, from as low as 0.008 inches up to as high as 0.100 inches or greater and of large widths such as, for example, strip having a width of 58 inches. it is also to be understood that while particular reference is made throughout this specification to the application of fast quenching aluminum and aluminum alloy strip, it is to be understood that the invention can also be used to treat other types of metallic strip. Thus, the terms aluminum and aluminum alloys as used in the claims are meant to include other metal materials treated in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention.

In accomplishing the aforesaid purpose, it has been foundnecessary that a sharply defined and uniformly thick and linearly straight coolant quench line be-used. Preferably two such lines are employedone on'each side of the strip and these lines should parallel each other. These sharply defined quench lines should be establishedand maintained as close as possible to the exit end of the solution heat treating furnace, and as will be noted more fully hereinafter the use of a heated gaseous medium is of material aid in establishing and maintaining these coolant lines. The coolant lines advantageously comprise thin curtains of coolant directed upon the strip at the same angle so as to strike the strip in symmetrical parallel lines or at the same lineal points on both sides of the strip. Each of the curtains or films has a substantially uniform cross-sectional thickness from one curtain edge to the other so as to maintain the desired lineal symmetry and prevent irregular cooling. For example, the coolant curtain thickness can be on the order of from about A; inches to A inches in thickness from one edge to the other provided a given curtain has substantially the same thickness from one side edge to the other side edge.

The static pressure at which a coolant curtain is preferably applied to the strip should also be such as to achieve a flattening effect at the moment of quench so that the liquid coolant as it hits the strip will be accelerated forward in the direction of strip travel or movement to minimize any back splash not only into the furnace, but also onto the strip prior to the time it reaches the sharply defined and parallel quench lines so as to prevent any premature or irregular quenching of the strip. As indicated in the above patent to Griffith, premature quenching of portions of the strip can deleteriously affect the desired straight line fast or quick freezing of the solution heat treated strip which is required in order to properly maintain the alloying constituents in the desired solid solution at room temperature. The coolant should be appliedin such fashion that the rate of reduction in temperature of the strip should be at least in the neighborhood of between 900-4000 F. per second, which is critical in the case of quick quenching solution heat treated aluminum alloys for the alloys to'develop properties, such as stress corrosion resistance. v

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention also contemplates the utilization of a gaseous medium envelope which is established and maintained between the furnace opening and the actual coolant zon'e formed by the sharply delineated quick quench line. This heated gaseous envelope is obtained by directing heated air preferably at a temperature higher than the solution heat treating temperature of the furnace directly onto the strip by suitable discharge nozzles or the like upstream from the coolant quench lines.

This gaseous medium envelope acts to effectively seal the strip from the atmosphere until the time the strip reaches the coolant quench lines so that the desired quenching and quick freezing of the solids in solution will take place substantially instantaneously and in a transverse straight line across the entire width of the strip. The heated, gaseous medium by being directed under pressure against the strip acts as a further safeguard in preventing any premature strip cooling by acting as additional insurance against splash back of the coolant onto the strip and/or into the furnace. This in turn means further control in retaining the desired sharply defined quench lines initially established by the coolant curtains.

The heated gaseous medium is advantageously directed upon the strip in such a fashion that it overlaps or extends beyond the marginal side edges of the strip thereby forming a complete envelope for and a sealing of the strip from the atmosphere so that the strip will in turn be held in full readiness for receiving the quick quench at the sharply defined quick quench lines. Finally, the gaseous mediumis directed upon the strip in such fashion as not to introduce turbulence into the coolant curtains at the quick quench line that might detract from straight line cooling by inhibiting the forward acceleration of the coolant curtain streams and be causing the formation of an undesirable steam film on the strip adjacent the upstream side of the quick quench lines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational sectional view with parts removed of one suitable type of apparatus that can be used in carrying out the quick quench system of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with parts removed and other parts broken away and other parts added;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 with parts removed;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of a typical baffle and nozzle assembly used in the apparatus of FIG. 1, when taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1, with parts removed;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a strip being quenched in accordance with the instant invention.

With further reference to the drawings and, in particular, FIG. 1, one embodiment of apparatus that can be used in practicing the quick or fast quench system of the instant invention generally comprises a tank 10 made up of the usual side and end sheathing 12 and 14 and bottom 16. This tank is supported and reinforced by the usual framework 18 disposed adjacent the exit end of the solution heat treat furnace 20 and made up of standard beams, girders and channels which are not specifically described since they do not form any significant parts of the invention. The solution heat treat furnace can be any suitable solution heat treat furnace such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,198,499, issued Aug. 3, 1965, or Pat. No. 3,328,997, issued July 4, 1967. In the case of both patents, the continuously moving strip S is held in suspension as it is moved through the furnace by appropriate gaseous mediums directed upon the surface of the strip from either side one or both sides thereof which gaseous mediums are also heated for the purpose of maintaining the desired solution heat treat temperature of the strip..-Although not shown, the usual feed and takeup roll devices are used to move the strip through the furnace and tank 10.

The sides 12 of the tank 10 are advantageously extended upwardly so as to form a housing for the equipment of the instant quick quenching system. The end wall 14 located at the right hand end of the drawings of FIG. 1 is provided with a suitable opening 24 through which the quenched strip S may be passed to further process equipment such as drying equipment and flattening rollers, etc. in. a manner conventional in the art. The other end wall 14 can advantageously serve as the end wall of the furnace 20.

Located substantially immediately adjacent the last mentioned wall 14 and the exit 22 of the furnace 20 is a pair of upper and lower manifolds 26. provided with nozzle elements 28 of suitable design. These nozzle elements are adapted to direct a preheated gaseous medium such as air upon opposite sides of the strip as it exits directly from the furnace. The nozzles are arranged at less than 90 and preferably at an angle in the neighborhood of about 25-30 relative to the normal plane of the strip as will be noted by reference to FIG. 1. The nozzles are such design that the gaseous medium such as air emitted from one nozzle overlaps and blends with that of adjacent nozzles so as to form a continuous envelope completely across the strip and transverse to the normal longitudinal direction of travel or movement of the strip S. The line of nozzles 28 extends beyond the side edges of the strip S so that the gaseous medium or air that is ejected upon the strip is also ejected adjacent to and past the marginal side edges thereof so as to effect a complete envelopment of the strip with the air.

The nozzles can be of any standard design and the gaseous medium such as air can exit from each nozzle at about 15 psi. gauge pressure with a flow rate on the order of 400 cu. ft. per minute. The gaseous medium ejected from the nozzles 28 is advantageously preheated to a temperature higher than the temperature of furnace 20, say by about 20 F. This preheating acts to compensate for any heat loss inthe strip 8 as it emerges from the furnace and temperature drop in the medium due to expansion of the medium. Thus, for example, if the temperature of the furnace 20 is maintained at solution heat treat temperature of 950 F. The temperature of the gaseous medium exiting from nozzles 28 should be 970 F. As schematically indicated in FIG. 1, the gaseous medium can be preheated by being first passed through a calrod type heating device 27 where it is heated to the appropriate elevated temperature. Thereafter, it is passed through lines 29 and 30 to the manifolds 26. In the event that a further preheated gas medium dispensing system similar to that of manifolds 26 and nozzle 28 is disposed just inside the furnace adjacent the exit opening, so as to help further in giving the strip a final extra heat treatment prior to passing it through the quench zone, the lines 29 and 30 can be'connected by lines 31 and 32 to the dual inside air manifold and nozzle arrangement 33.

The air from the outside lines of nozzles 28 advantageously strikes the strip a few inches from the furnace exit 22 preferably at the angles noted above of about 25 to 30 with respect to the normal plane of the moving strip and on both the top and bottom sides thereof.

It is to be understood, of course, that appropriate temperature control devices, not shown, can be used for operating the calrod type heating device 27 so as to maintain the temperature of the gaseous medium flowing from manifold nozzles 28 at the desired elevated temperature.

Advantageously located downstream from the exit 22 of the furnace 20 and nozzles 28 and in opposed relationship to each other on each side of the path of travel of the strip is a pair of curved or curvilinear baffle elements 34. Each of these curved baffle elements 34 as indicated particularly in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 receives liquid coolant, such as water, ejected thereon from a series of linearly arranged nozzles 35 which are attached to and project from a manifold or header pipe 36 suitably supported by bracket means between the wall sheathing 12 of the tank 10 and fed from a supply line 36. Each curved baffle 34 is affixed to its associated manifold by means of bracket elements 37 and 37' and a back plate 37" affixed to each other and welded both to the manifold 36 and baffle 34.

It will be noted by reference to FIG. 5 that the angle of incidence of each of the nozzles 35 with respect to the inner curved surface 38 of a baffle 34 is relatively slight and on the order for example of about 5. The reason for this is to minimize the formation of turbulence of the coolant, such as water, as it hits the baffle and is thereafter directed along the inner curved surface 38. This slight angle of incidence also means that the coolant will leave the baffle in the form of a thin coolant curtain. The nozzles 35 are preferably spaced only about 1 inch or so apart so that the coolant water from each of the individual nozzles 35 can readily fan out and converge in the manner shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 with the a water streams from adjacent nozzles. The convergence of the fluid coolant of all nozzles 35 results in the formation of a thin uniform curtain of coolant that results from the confluence of all the individual streams of water from the various nozzles 35 associated with a given baffle 34. The liquid coolant curtain that flows from the noules 35 flows across its associated baffle surface, is accelerated and passes from the opposite or discharge end of the curved baffle surface onto the strip at angles preferably of from 25 to 30 to the normal plane of the strip in the form of a thin coolant curtain. The overall curtain of water formed by the nozzles preferably has a uniform thickness on the order of from /5 inches to V4 inches and as it strikes the strip this same uniform cross-sectional thickness dimension from one curtain end or edge to the other is maintained.

Thus, the coolant curtains from the top and bottom arrays of nozzles produce a pair of parallel and identical knifelike or straight coolant lines directly across the strip transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof. The coolant streams orcurtains strike the strip only at the defined parallel coolant lines at the zone A of FIG. 1. The application of a heated gaseous medium as aforedescribed materially assists in the establishment and maintenance of these coolant lines at the quench zone A. Having the top and bottom coolant curtains strike the strip S in the same vertical plane and at only the two' established coolant lines, means that the quick quench on both sides of the strip is effected at the same point or in line on both sides of the strip and the alloying constituents instantaneously and uniformly locked in solution at room temperature. The water that courses across the baffles 34 can advantageously strike the strip at about 14 inches downstream from the exit 22 of the furnace while the air strikes the strip several inches upstream from the point of coolant and strip contact.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the curved baffles 34 and air nozzles 26 and 33, when the latter nozzles 33 are used, are set or arranged so that the liquid coolant and air will strike at spaced points but at approximately the same angles so that the gaseous streams and coolant curtains substantially parallel one another and instead of interfering with each other work together in the establishment and maintenance of the sharply defined linearly straight and fast quench coolant lines. This also minimizes undesirable turbulence at the point of strip and coolant contact.

By striking the strip of the coolant curtain in the manner proposed, a relatively high static water pressure is developed against both sides of the strip which also helps to support the strip. Support of the strip is advantageously effected prior to coolant contact by way of the air from nozzles 28.

lt is to be further observed that a good static pressure for the liquid coolant achieves a flattening effect of the coolant against the strip at the moment of quench so as to keep the water moving at the proper direction away from the furnace and along the strip. By having the coolant strike the baffles 34 first instead of projectingthe coolant directly upon the 'strip, means that the coolant will be automatically and initially directed away from the fumacethus minimizing splash back into the furnace and onto the portion of the strip that has not as yet reached the coolant contact zone or quench line whereby undesirable premature cooling of the strip is prevented. Use of the baffles also means that the quench line can be located very close to the exit 22 'of the furnace-an obviously highly desirable feature.

For most applications, the coolant can be ejected upon the strip in the form of curtains from each of the baffles at about 500 gallons per minute, at temperatures in the neighborhood of about 4050 F. and at between 35-40 p.s.i. gauge pressure. This produces a reduction in temperature of the strip at the desirable rate of about between 900 F. and 1000 F. per second for locking the solids in solution in the strip. It will be observed by reference to the drawings that the overall coolant curtain formed by the quenching nozzles 35' advantageously overlaps and extends beyond the side marginal edges of the strip S as in the case of the gaseous medium or air lines referred to above. This is further'assurance that coolant will completely engulf the strip and insure proper quenching.

When the above-described described quench system and apparatus are used in conjunction with continuous solution heat treated furnaces of the type described, a wide range of aluminum alloys of various thicknessescan be successively treated and quenched while using the same'quench system and equipment. In normal solution heat treat practice, the thickness of the strip controls the'soak time, the usual rule being that 200 minutes of soak time is required per inch of strip thickness. Where a relatively thin gauge strip material is heat treated and quenched, the strip can be moved at a much greater rate through the furnace and past the quenching zone than in the case of where the strip is of thicker gauge. Thus, the speed of travel of a given strip S depending upon its thickness can vary over extreme limits without requiring any significant change in the operation-of the instant quenching system and apparatus or modification of the parts except perhaps as to the volume of coolant needed and despite the various temperatures used for heat treating different types of aluminum alloys, such as 9l5930- F. for 2024 alloys; 880- 930 F. for 7075 alloys and 960+l0l0 F. for 6061 alloys. The instant quench system and equipment therefor readily lend themselves to handling all of the above alloys in varying thickness. 4

One further advantageous result flowing from use of the instant invention wherein an instantaneous sharp or knifelike lineal cooling is obtained is thatthe quenched strip, upon cooling, has relatively uniform shallow buckles entirely across and for the full width of the strip S which gives the strip S a somewhat uniform mottled appearance. This shallow uniform buckling is of advantage during later flattening and stretching of the strip on standard flattening devices. It means that the strip can be more easily and uniformly leveled and stretched by virtue of the quench pretreatment of the strip since no severe buckles are introduced into'the strip which are carried over to and cannot be readily compensated for in standard stretchingand leveling practices.

The rest of the apparatus making up the system as is indicated in the drawings can include the lines of conventional supporting rollers 40 located downstream from the main quench line. These rollers support the strip as it is passed through the tank 10. The rollers can be supported by appropriate bracket assemblies 42 mounted between the walls 14 of the tank 10 and the first line of rollers 40 can be separated from the quench line by baffles or screens 43 supported between walls 14 and secured to these walls. The coolant ejected upon the strip S from the baffles 34 passes along the surfaces of the strip S and then falls into the tank 10 whence it is removed through the drain 45.

In order to insure removal of the spent coolant into the tank 10 and off of the strip S, a further aft manifold and baffle system can be used. This aft or secondary baffle system can comprise the same type of baffles 34, nozzles 35 and headers 36 as those at the quench line. Thus, the coolant from these aft or downstream nozzles, etc. act to sweep the coolant initially projected on the strip S off of the strip by forcing the coolant out to the sides of strip and then down into the tank 10.

When the aft baffles 34 and nozzles 35 are made identical to those used for the quench line,these aft baffles and nozzles, etc. can be advantageously used-as spare parts for the main quenching nozzles and baffles.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described. It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined in the appended claims, wherein:

I claim:

1. A system for effecting a substantially instantaneous and uniform fast quench of continuously moving solution heat treated aluminum and aluminum alloy strip as it emerges from a continuous heat treating furnace comprising means includ ing a baffle means for continuously directing a coolant curtain against a side of the strip at an angle of less than and in the form of a relatively thin nonturbulent straight line coolant curtain of uniform cross section from one end edge thereof to the other and transverse to the normal direction of travel thereof promptly after the strip is withdrawn from said furnace and means disposed intermediate said first means and the furnace for controllably directing a heated gaseous medium at selected pressures and volumes against the strip so as to fully envelope said strip and preclude contact of the strip with the atmosphere prior to contact of the strip with the coolant curtain and back splash of the coolant from the curtain onto the strip or into the furnace.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said baffle means is concavely curved in the direction of travel of the strip.

3. A system for effecting a substantially instantaneous and uniform fast quench of continuously moving solution heat treated aluminum and aluminum alloy strip as it emerges from a continuous heat treating furnace comprising means including a baffle means for directing coolant against both sides of the strip at angles of less than 90 and in the form of relatively thin nonturbulent straight line liquid coolant curtains each of uniform cross section from one end edge to the other and transverse to the normal direction of travel of the strip promptly afterthe strip is withdrawn from the furnace, and means disposed intermediate said first means and said furnace for directing a heated gaseous medium at selected volumes and pressures against at least one side of the strip so as to fully envelope the strip and preclude contact of the strip with and to seal said strip from the atmosphere prior to the strips contact with the coolant curtains and to prevent back splash of the coolant from the curtains onto the strip or into the furnace. j

4. A system asset forth in claim 3 including means for directing a gaseous medium onto the other side of the strip.

5. A system as set forth in claim 3 wherein curvilinear baffles are employed with each of said first means.

6. A system for effecting a substantially instantaneous and uniform fast quench of continuously moving solution heat treated aluminum and aluminum alloy strip as it emerges from a continuous heat treating furnace comprising a first means including baffles for continuously directing coolant against each sideof the strip in the form of a relatively thin nonturbulent straight line liquid coolant curtain and transverse to the normal direction of travel thereof and along parallel curtain and strip contact lines and a second means disposed intermediate said first means and said furnace for directing heated gaseous streams under pressure against opposing sides of the strip to completely envelope said strip and preclude contact of the strip with and seal the strip from the atmosphere prior to strip and coolant curtain contact and to prevent back splash of coolant from the curtains onto the strip or into the furnace.

7. A system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said baffles are curved in the normal direction of travel of the strip.

8. A system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first and second means extend beyond the marginal edges of the strip.

9. In combination with an aluminum or aluminum alloy solution heat treating furnace an apparatus for effecting a fast quench of a moving aluminum or aluminum alloy strip promptly after said strip exits from said furnace, said apparatus comprising at least one elongated baffle means disposed downstream from the exit end of the furnace and adjacent to and entirely across the entire normal path of travel of the strip as it exits from the furnace, coolant material ejecting means arranged adjacent one edge 'of said baffle means and adapted to direct a coolant material against the baffle means at a slight angle in of incidence thereto, the other edge of said baffle means being inclined at an angle of less than 90 relative to the normal plane of the strip, and a gaseous medium dispensing means disposed intermediate the exit end of the furnace and said coolant material ejecting means and closely adjacent to the furnace exit for directing a heated gaseous medium against the strip upstream from the area of application of the coolant material to the strip.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein the said other edge of the baffle means is set so as to direct the coolant material upon said strip at between an angle of 25 to 30 relative to the normal plane of the strip.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein the coolant material ejecting means is arranged relative to said baffle means such that said angle of incidence is on the order of 12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said gaseous medium dispensing means comprises means arranged to direct the gaseous medium against the strip at an angle to the normal plane of the strip which substantially approximates and parallels the angle at which the coolant material is directed upon the strip by said baffle means:

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein the elongated baffle means extends beyond and overlaps both side edges of the strip during the movement thereof past said baffle means. I

14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9i'in c I heating said gaseous medium prior to the? 7' to the strip. I a a 15. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein the gaseous medium dispensing means comprises nozzle me: which extends beyond and overlaps the marginal side edges of e strip during the movement thereof past said nozzle means 16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said baffle means comprises a baffle that has a curvilinear cross section.

17. An apparatus asset forth in claim 9 including a further baffle means that is curved in an opposite direction to said first baffle means, said further baffle means being disposed downstream from said first baffle meansand on the same side of the strip as the first baffle means and a further coolant material ejecting means for directing coolant material against said further baffle means and then against the strip in opposition to the first baffle means so as to effect a retardation of the coolant material initially applied by a said first baffle means and a wiping of said initially applied coolant material from said strip.

18. In combination with an aluminum or aluminum alloy solution heat treatment furnace an apparatus for effecting a fast lineal quench of a continuously moving aluminum 'or aluminum alloy strip promptly after said strip exits from said furnace, said apparatus comprising a pair of elongated baffles disposed a short distance downstream from the exit end of the furnace and arranged in spaced parallel opposing relationship to each other on opposite sides of an entirely across the normal path of travel of the strip, nozzle means arranged adjacent one longitudinal edge of each of said baffles and adapted to direct a fluid coolant against the baffle at a slight angle of incidence thereto and the other longitudinal and discharge edge of each baffle being inclined at an angle of less than relative to the normal plane of the strip, the said angles inclination of the discharge edges of the baffles being such that fluid coolant projected therefrom on both sides of the strip contact the strip along parallel lines on opposing sides of the strip in the form of thin nonturbulent straight line fluid coolant'curtains, at least one further nozzle means disposed intermediate the exit end of the furnace and one of said-first mentioned nozzle means and closely adjacent to the furnace exit for directing a heated gaseous medium upon the strip upstream from the area of application of the fluid coolant to the strip and at an angle thereto which is generally parallel to the angle of application of one of the fluid coolant curtains to the strip.

19. An apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein said baffles are curvilinear in cross section.

20. An apparatus as set forth in claim 18 including a further gaseous medium nozzle means disposed in opposing spaced relationship to said first mentioned gaseous medium nozzle means and located on the opposite side of the strip therefrom, said further gaseous medium nozzle means also being adapted to direct a heated gaseous medium against the said opposite side of the strip and at an angle thereto upstream from the area of strip and fluid coolant contact.

21. An apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein the fluid coolant discharge edges of the baffles are set so as to direct fluid coolant upon said strip at between an angle of 25 to 30 relative to the normal plane of the strip and on opposite sides thereof.

22. An apparatus as set forth in claim 18 h wherein the baffles extend beyond and overlap the marginal edges of the strip.

28. An apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein the gaseous medium nozzle means extends beyond and overlaps the side marginal edges of the strip.

i'ng means for ation thereof 24. In combination with an aluminum and aluminum alloy solution heat treating furnace for effecting a fast lineal quench of a moving aluminum or aluminum alloy strip promptly after the strip exits from said furnace said apparatus comprising at least one elongated baffle means disposed a relatively short distance downstream from the furnace exit and entirely across and beyond the normal path of travel of the strip, coolant material ejecting means arranged adjacent one edge and along the length of said baffle means and adapted to direct a coolant material against and across the baffle means, another edge of the baffle means being inclined at an angle of less than 90 relative to the normal plane of the strip and serving as the coolant material discharge edge of the baffle means, a linearly arranged gaseous medium dispensing means disposed intermediate the exit end of the furnace and said coolant material ejecting means and closely adjacent the said exit end of the furnace for directing a heated gaseous medium against and at an angle to the strip upstream from the zone of coolant material application to completely envelope the strip and prevent back splash of the coolant onto the strip or into the fumace.

25. An apparatus as set forth in claim 24 wherein said baffle means is curvilinear in cross section.

26. A system for effecting a substantially instantaneous and uniform fast quench of continuously moving solution heat treated aluminum and aluminum alloy strip as it emerges from a continuous heat treating furnace comprising means for continuously directing coolant material in the form of a coolant curtain against a side of the strip at an angle of less than and in the form of a relatively thin nonturbulent straight line coolant curtain of uniform cross section from one end edge of the curtain to the other and transverse to the normal direction of travel thereof promptly after the strip is withdrawn from said furnace and means intermediate said first means and the furnace for controllably directing a heated gaseous medium at selected pressures and volumes against the strip so as to fully envelope said strip and preclude contact of the strip with the atmosphere prior to contact of the strip with the coolant curtain and back splash of the coolant from the curtain onto the strip or into the furnace, 

2. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said baffle means is concavely curved in the direction of travel of the strip.
 3. A system for effecting a substantially instantaneous and uniform fast quench of continuously moving solution heat treated aluminum and aluminum alloy strip as it emerges from a continuous heat treating furnace comprising means including a baffle means fOr directing coolant against both sides of the strip at angles of less than 90* and in the form of relatively thin nonturbulent straight line liquid coolant curtains each of uniform cross section from one end edge to the other and transverse to the normal direction of travel of the strip promptly after the strip is withdrawn from the furnace, and means disposed intermediate said first means and said furnace for directing a heated gaseous medium at selected volumes and pressures against at least one side of the strip so as to fully envelope the strip and preclude contact of the strip with and to seal said strip from the atmosphere prior to the strip''s contact with the coolant curtains and to prevent back splash of the coolant from the curtains onto the strip or into the furnace.
 4. A system as set forth in claim 3 including means for directing a gaseous medium onto the other side of the strip.
 5. A system as set forth in claim 3 wherein curvilinear baffles are employed with each of said first means.
 6. A system for effecting a substantially instantaneous and uniform fast quench of continuously moving solution heat treated aluminum and aluminum alloy strip as it emerges from a continuous heat treating furnace comprising a first means including baffles for continuously directing coolant against each side of the strip in the form of a relatively thin nonturbulent straight line liquid coolant curtain and transverse to the normal direction of travel thereof and along parallel curtain and strip contact lines and a second means disposed intermediate said first means and said furnace for directing heated gaseous streams under pressure against opposing sides of the strip to completely envelope said strip and preclude contact of the strip with and seal the strip from the atmosphere prior to strip and coolant curtain contact and to prevent back splash of coolant from the curtains onto the strip or into the furnace.
 7. A system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said baffles are curved in the normal direction of travel of the strip.
 8. A system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first and second means extend beyond the marginal edges of the strip.
 9. In combination with an aluminum or aluminum alloy solution heat treating furnace an apparatus for effecting a fast quench of a moving aluminum or aluminum alloy strip promptly after said strip exits from said furnace, said apparatus comprising at least one elongated baffle means disposed downstream from the exit end of the furnace and adjacent to and entirely across the entire normal path of travel of the strip as it exits from the furnace, coolant material ejecting means arranged adjacent one edge of said baffle means and adapted to direct a coolant material against the baffle means at a slight angle in of incidence thereto, the other edge of said baffle means being inclined at an angle of less than 90* relative to the normal plane of the strip, and a gaseous medium dispensing means disposed intermediate the exit end of the furnace and said coolant material ejecting means and closely adjacent to the furnace exit for directing a heated gaseous medium against the strip upstream from the area of application of the coolant material to the strip.
 10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein the said other edge of the baffle means is set so as to direct the coolant material upon said strip at between an angle of 25* to 30* relative to the normal plane of the strip.
 11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein the coolant material ejecting means is arranged relative to said baffle means such that said angle of incidence is on the order of 5*.
 12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said gaseous medium dispensing means comprises means arranged to direct the gaseous medium against the strip at an angle to the normal plane of the strip which substantially approximates and parallels the angle at which the coolant material is directed upon the strip by said baffLe means.
 13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein the elongated baffle means extends beyond and overlaps both side edges of the strip during the movement thereof past said baffle means.
 14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 including means for heating said gaseous medium prior to the application thereof to the strip.
 15. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein the gaseous medium dispensing means comprises nozzle means which extends beyond and overlaps the marginal side edges of the strip during the movement thereof past said nozzle means.
 16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said baffle means comprises a baffle that has a curvilinear cross section.
 17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 including a further baffle means that is curved in an opposite direction to said first baffle means, said further baffle means being disposed downstream from said first baffle means and on the same side of the strip as the first baffle means and a further coolant material ejecting means for directing coolant material against said further baffle means and then against the strip in opposition to the first baffle means so as to effect a retardation of the coolant material initially applied by a said first baffle means and a wiping of said initially applied coolant material from said strip.
 18. In combination with an aluminum or aluminum alloy solution heat treatment furnace an apparatus for effecting a fast lineal quench of a continuously moving aluminum or aluminum alloy strip promptly after said strip exits from said furnace, said apparatus comprising a pair of elongated baffles disposed a short distance downstream from the exit end of the furnace and arranged in spaced parallel opposing relationship to each other on opposite sides of an entirely across the normal path of travel of the strip, nozzle means arranged adjacent one longitudinal edge of each of said baffles and adapted to direct a fluid coolant against the baffle at a slight angle of incidence thereto and the other longitudinal and discharge edge of each baffle being inclined at an angle of less than 90* relative to the normal plane of the strip, the said angles inclination of the discharge edges of the baffles being such that fluid coolant projected therefrom on both sides of the strip contact the strip along parallel lines on opposing sides of the strip in the form of thin nonturbulent straight line fluid coolant curtains, at least one further nozzle means disposed intermediate the exit end of the furnace and one of said first mentioned nozzle means and closely adjacent to the furnace exit for directing a heated gaseous medium upon the strip upstream from the area of application of the fluid coolant to the strip and at an angle thereto which is generally parallel to the angle of application of one of the fluid coolant curtains to the strip.
 19. An apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein said baffles are curvilinear in cross section.
 20. An apparatus as set forth in claim 18 including a further gaseous medium nozzle means disposed in opposing spaced relationship to said first mentioned gaseous medium nozzle means and located on the opposite side of the strip therefrom, said further gaseous medium nozzle means also being adapted to direct a heated gaseous medium against the said opposite side of the strip and at an angle thereto upstream from the area of strip and fluid coolant contact.
 21. An apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein the fluid coolant discharge edges of the baffles are set so as to direct fluid coolant upon said strip at between an angle of 25* to 30* relative to the normal plane of the strip and on opposite sides thereof.
 22. An apparatus as set forth in claim 18 h wherein the baffles extend beyond and overlap the marginal edges of the strip.
 23. An apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein the gaseous medium nozzle means extends beyond and overlaps the side marginal edges of the strip.
 24. In combination with An aluminum and aluminum alloy solution heat treating furnace for effecting a fast lineal quench of a moving aluminum or aluminum alloy strip promptly after the strip exits from said furnace said apparatus comprising at least one elongated baffle means disposed a relatively short distance downstream from the furnace exit and entirely across and beyond the normal path of travel of the strip, coolant material ejecting means arranged adjacent one edge and along the length of said baffle means and adapted to direct a coolant material against and across the baffle means, another edge of the baffle means being inclined at an angle of less than 90* relative to the normal plane of the strip and serving as the coolant material discharge edge of the baffle means, a linearly arranged gaseous medium dispensing means disposed intermediate the exit end of the furnace and said coolant material ejecting means and closely adjacent the said exit end of the furnace for directing a heated gaseous medium against and at an angle to the strip upstream from the zone of coolant material application to completely envelope the strip and prevent back splash of the coolant onto the strip or into the furnace.
 25. An apparatus as set forth in claim 24 wherein said baffle means is curvilinear in cross section.
 26. A system for effecting a substantially instantaneous and uniform fast quench of continuously moving solution heat treated aluminum and aluminum alloy strip as it emerges from a continuous heat treating furnace comprising means for continuously directing coolant material in the form of a coolant curtain against a side of the strip at an angle of less than 90* and in the form of a relatively thin nonturbulent straight line coolant curtain of uniform cross section from one end edge of the curtain to the other and transverse to the normal direction of travel thereof promptly after the strip is withdrawn from said furnace and means intermediate said first means and the furnace for controllably directing a heated gaseous medium at selected pressures and volumes against the strip so as to fully envelope said strip and preclude contact of the strip with the atmosphere prior to contact of the strip with the coolant curtain and back splash of the coolant from the curtain onto the strip or into the furnace. 